Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, world ranked No.14, produced a national shot put record of 21.77m to beat Brazilian favourite Darlan Romani at the 35th Grande Prêmio Brasil Caixa de Atletismo in Bragança Paulista, São Paulo – the first leg of 2019 IAAF World Challenge and IAAF Hammer Throw Challenge – on Sunday 28 April.
Romani, world ranked No.3 and winner of the 2018 Continental Cup, led with his 21.62m from round two, but Enekwechi responded in round three with 21.77m – a PB by 49 centimetres to take the definitive lead. Romani improved to 21.69m on his final throw, but it wasn’t enough to deliver the victory. USA’s Curtis Jensen was third with 20.40m.
Enekwechi’s winning mark added one centimetre to the Nigerian record set three years ago by Stephen Mozia.
It also moved Enekwechi, who is the reigning African Champion, up to second place on the African all-time list, just 20 centimetres behind continental record-holder Janus Robberts from South Africa.
Amusan, Ogunrinde kicks season off at Drake Relays
Tobiloba Amusan also opened up her outdoor season at the Drake Relays in the women’s 100m Hurdles where she competed against World Record holder Kendra Harrison of the USA.
In conditions far from ideal, she finished fourth in a season’s best time of 12.96 secs (+3.3 m/s) behind Harrison, who won in 12.65 secs.
Temilola Ogunrinde finished fourth in the women’s Hammer Throw with a best throw of 58.41 metres in an event won by Amy Herrington with 60.08 metres.
